Ruling on Chess

19-5-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

I want to ask if chess (the type played nowadays) is allowed in Islam or not?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Playing chess is a futile occupancy that is forbidden, and there is nothing narrated from the companions may Allaah be pleased with them that indicates its permissibility.

Ali Ibn Abu Taalib may Allaah be pleased with him said: “Chess is the gambling of the Persians.” He also said: “It is better for each of you to handle a glow until extinct, than touching it (chess).”

Once he passed by a group of men who were playing chess and he said: “What are these statues that you devoted yourselves to?”

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him was asked about chess and he replied: “It is worse than backgammon.”

Ibn ‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him became a guardian of orphans’ possessions, and amongst the things he found was chess, so he burnt it.

Abu Moosa Al-Ash'ari may Allaah be pleased with him said: “Only the sinner plays chess.”

Chess is forbidden by Abu Haneefah, Maalik and Ahmed Ibn Hanbal may Allaah have mercy upon them. Imam Maalik may Allaah have mercy upon him used to say: “There is nothing good in chess.” He considered it from falsehood, reading the Quranic verse in which Allah Says (what means): {For that is Allah, your Lord, the Truth. And what can be beyond truth except error?} [Quran 10:32]

Therefore, the bottom line is that Muslims should not play chess and it is an obligation on the questioner to avoid it and advise others to avoid it as well with the words of the great companions and scholars.

Allah knows best.

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